Young Adults' Group

The Challenge Of Finding Resilience

by Pastor Mark
June 30, 2022

The danger of becoming weary

The first six months of 2022 may have been fraught with difficulties. Have we allowed these troubles to overwhelm us? Have we become weary of life and its challenges? The stress of life can slowly weaken our strength and spirit.

The Prophet Jeremiah struggled with ministry difficulties, especially in facing his enemies. God had to reveal to Jeremiah that his enemies were scheming against him for speaking God’s words to them, and he was like a docile lamb to the slaughter (Jeremiah 11:18,19). In turn, Jeremiah pleaded with the Lord to judge them (Jeremiah 11:20). But when God seemed to be slow in His judgment and the enemies continued to prosper, Jeremiah became distressed and wearied (Jeremiah 12:5). The Lord had to challenge Jeremiah to overcome his weariness.

Words of encouragement

The Lord understood how Jeremiah felt and sought to encourage him.

1. Making a comparison to the army

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

a. Jeremiah was facing his enemies
i. The Lord compared his spiritual battle with enemies to running with the footmen (infantry).
ii. Running with the footmen was only seen as the first level of difficulty.
iii. But Jeremiah was already feeling overwhelmed and wearied dealing with these enemies.
b. Facing a more significant challenge
i. The next level would be contending with those on horseback (cavalry).
ii. The spiritual battle would continue to grow in difficulty.
iii. Would Jeremiah be able to cope with a greater spiritual fight in the future?

2. Making a comparison to the land

“And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

a. At that time, there was peace in the land as the war had not come.
b. Yet, Jeremiah had found himself wearied.
c. But there would be a time when the plain of the Jordan would become a “floodplain”.
d. Would Jeremiah be able to cope with a far greater adverse situation?
e. Sadly, he would discover that his own family would deal treacherously with him (Jeremiah 12:6).

Reason to find strength

1. The challenges of ministry were going to grow more difficult and intense.
2. God sought to encourage Jeremiah to find strength and resilience for his present problems.
3. Only then would it be possible for him to cope with more significant future difficulties.

Revival of strength and resilience

1. Despite his youth and inexperience in ministry, Jeremiah needed to find a revival of his strength to overcome his weariness.
2. The Lord had already challenged him to be a fortified city…a fortress (Jeremiah 1:18; 6:27).
3. He would discover in time that the Lord was his strength and fortress (Jeremiah 16:19).
4. Jeremiah found renewal of his resilience to cope with his challenges.

Let us be encouraged to be a fortified city and find a revival of our strength in the Lord who is our fortress…to overcome our weariness as we face the challenges of life and ministry.

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